Hutchinson was studying geography and business at the university and was a defenceman on the school's hockey team.

"It's hard to believe that something like that could happen to such a great guy. He just made people smile, he made people happy,'' said Barry Douglas, a spokesman for the Chilliwack Chiefs — a team that Hutchinson once played for.

"He was very, very well respected by his teammates and by everybody who came across his path.

"I remember Matt's parents as well. Just great people, great family. I just feel so, so sad for them.''

Hutchinson was also a volunteer firefighter, both in his home province and in Geneseo.

He helped fight wildfires in B.C. during the summer of 2015, based out of Cranbrook in the East Kootenays, according to a feature by the Geneseo Knights.